Image: Sam Boal Image: Sam Boal SOME OF US might only begrudgingly admit it but polishing off the shopping on Christmas Eve can be one of the real treats of the festive period.This year, even the things that we enjoy about the experience — soaking up the atmosphere, bumping into friends and stopping in somewhere for a coffee or a pint — are obviously a lot more difficult than we’d like them to be.
That’s disappointing for us, but it’s also a major issue for local businesses in town and city centres across the country, many of which have been shuttered for portions of the year.“Our members have been heartened by the support that they’ve gotten from local shoppers and the public,” says Dee Ryan, chief executive of Limerick Chamber.
“It’s been wonderful to see. We’ve all gone on a journey of appreciation of how connected and interdependent we all are, not just from a supply chain perspective but also in terms of jobs and understanding that there are families behind each of those jobs and people whose lives are impacted by the pandemic.”
With that in mind, here are three things you can do today to support local businesses while making the process as pleasant and safe as possible:By far the most important thing this Christmas — yes, more than getting that roll of emergency wrapping paper in — is personal safety: yours, your family’s and that of the staff working this afternoon. That means masks, hand sanitiser and adhering to social distancing.
Finally, there are at least two good reasons to do a bit of research before you saddle up to finish the last of your shopping. Firstly, you might be able to avoid long, uncomfortable queues if you can find businesses that offer a click and collect service. Secondly, you can check if your county or city council has any sort of directory of local businesses that could do with your support today.
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im heading to my local paddy powers on stephens day for the craic..i might be taking a risk but at least ill be shopping local